In such a busy life
during times like these approximately every person whether young or old, child,
men or women , rich or poor have stress in their life. Most people feel there's
nothing they can do about it. But, they have more control over stress than they
might think.
Stress management is all about taking charge of matter how stressful your life
seems, and steps you can take to retrieve the pressure and gain control. One way
to cope with stress is to start a stress journal which can help you identify the
regular stressors in your life and the way you deal with them. Write down:
1- What caused you stress ( make a guess if you are unsure).
2- How you felt, both physically and emotionally.
3- How you acted in response.
4- What you did to make yourself feel better.
A lot of people use unhealthy ways of coping with stress. These coping
strategies may temporarily reduce stress but, they cause more damage in the long
run :
∆ smoking and drinking.
∆ bingeing on junk or comfort food.
∆ using pills or drugs to relax.
∆ sleeping too much.
∆ zoning out for hours in front of TV or laptop.
∆ withdrawing from family, friends and activities.
∆ taking out your stress on others (lashing out,
angry outbursts, physical violence etc).
∆ procrastinating.
People should and need to learn healthier ways to manage stress. Such ways will
make you feel calm and controlled :
1. When you feel stressed take shower, do ablution. Then, perform Salah or
meditate.
2. Listen or attend peaceful, Islamic or other encouraging lectures which gives
you good hope, enhances positive thinking and calms you down.
3. Be thankful for the blessing you have in life and count them to remember how
lucky you are to have them.
4.Physical activity and exercise releases endorphin that boosts your mood and
makes you feel good; and exercise can also serve as a valuable distraction from
your daily worries. Do example:
*Clean your room or cook something good if you like.
* Put on some music and dance around .
* Walk or cycle to the grocery store or a friend's home.
* Use the stairs at home more often.
* Play ping pong or basketball or squash.
5. Engage socially: one of the best way to release stress is to change your
regular environment and meet or talk to people who makes you feel happy and
relaxed.
* Go to friend's or neighbour's house.
* Help someone in suffer or in need of help by volunteering so you can feel that
your pain is nothing in front of them.
* Accompany someone to a park or a movie or concert etc.
* Call or chat with an old buddy.
* Meet new people by taking a class or a club.
6. Avoid unnecessary stress. Learn how to say 'No' to things and people who
disturb you or stress you out.
* Take control of your routine and environment, example, if evening news makes
you feel anxious turn off the TV or watch something good.
* If traffic makes you feel miserable, take a longer but less traveled route.
* If going to shopping makes you uneasy and is an unpleasant chore, do your
grocery online or ask a helper or family member to do it.
* Limit yourself to do the most important work today and leave the unnecessary
work or extra burden to another day or weekend.
7. Make time for fun and relaxation. Make time for your family and friends.
Appreciate others and feel the good reaction.
8.If you are in severe stress and can't bear it and/or have a feeling that you
can harm yourself or others don't hesitate to consult a professional helper,
certified psychologist or a psychiatrist.Take sessions with your doctor and
properly take your prescribed medications.
9. Don't test yourself by believing that you can bear excessive stress or burden
while in reality you cannot.
You have problems and only you can solve them, and it is possible if only you
try. Not even trying will increase your stress and burden more than you think .
Try to stay happy and make others happy .